The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-09
Helen III. d. Trask.

ISk6u ". AIdSh.
In the death OF this estimable lady the
Second church of Minneapolis suffers a
severe loss. Death, which relieved her
of suffering, makes lonely the kindred
lives bound up with hers. Yet to those,
and to those who knew her as a friend,
there is left the memory of most affec-
tionate woman, gentle household spirit,
patient, self-sacrifcing and hopeful al
ways. From the first her life has been
closely identified with two families, those
of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. John Weeks,
and Of her uncle, Mr.. John Dudley.
At her birth, Feb. %, 1850, in Milford,
Me-, her cousin, Helen Dudley, wanted
the little girl named after her. A few
years later, when Helen Dudley after a
short married life, passed to the better
world, Helen Weeks became child of
two households, that of her now widowed
mother, and that of her childless uncle
and aunt Her relatives came West in
1855, and since then her life has been
mainly spent in or near Minneapolis.
Growing to young womanhood, che
won the love of all who knew her. Her
character ever appealed TO and brought
out the best side of all her acquaintances.
AS one in those early days expressed it to
her: In your presence" said he, " feel
every possible motive for being a gentle
man." Novem Der 20, 1873, she was joined
in marriage to Eugene W. Trask. To
them have been given five children. One,
boy, early went before, and awaited his
mother in that better land. The others,
all girls, survive. The youngest of these
were twins, born two weeks before their
mother found her last rest.
Early in life Mrs. Trask became iden-
titled with the Universalist church. She
ever loved its services and deeply cher
ished its comforting faith. Her home
and children were first in her thoughts
and affection. Next to them came her
church, the home or centre of such a
world of tender hopes and aspirations
She loved her class of boys in Sunday
school, and che will be missed by them
She was eminently lover of her kind, as
well as of her kin. With Abou Ben Ad-
am, of the poem, she loved her fellow
men, and her name is found among those
whom love of God has blessed.
AS life's currents ebbed to their close,
after hours of weary pain, she opened her
eyes, while look of ineffable joy and
surprise covered her face and shone from
her eyes. 1t was as il she went forward
with leap of JOY at the summons of some
bright angel, and turning, left the bene-
diction of heaven behind. She felt the
hand of God, and as she spoke of her
| mothers touch in her hour of pain, she
found at last that it was the hand of Love
Divine. Through beautiful memories of
what she was as mother, wife, sister, child
and friend, may all still share her sweet
presence through lite's remaining years.
Mrs. Trask's death took place March
25, 1887. A large concourse OF friends
gathered at her late home on Tuesday,
| biiO AObhf w uuhC uiutOWGlA ADUh VI bllc Ol6
they loved. Agreeable to her wishes, there
was no Grape, but only flowers, emblems
of the immortal hope she had ever cher
ished. Her pastor, the writer of this ar
ticle, assisted by the Rev. W. 81. Harring-
ton, conducted the last sad services.
These we're like the flowers, the tribute
of love to the worth of the departed friend.
The choir of the Second church sang
some OF her favorite hymns. And SO,
with flowers and song, the farewells were
spoken and loving hands tenderly bore
the worn but still beautiful form to it's
silent home. May the faith that had ever
been her Joy be to the relatives and friends
the source of all needed comfort.
L. G.. Powers